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Chief blasts Kanye for comparing concerts to military service

KANYE IS IN JUST AS MUCH DANGER AS A POLICE OFFICER: Yeah, performing before sold-out crowds, driving sports cars, making millions of dollars and marrying a reality TV star is JUST like a solider fighting war overseas. Just like that. Photo: Associated Press

Outspoken rapper Kanye West has come under fire from an Ohio police chief who has written an open letter chastising the star for comparing himself to police and soldiers.

Brimfield Police Chief David Oliver has become an unlikely online sensation after publishing a note on Thursday addressed to West on the force’s official Facebook.com page following the rapper’s controversial comments during a recent interview on radio show Saturday Night Online.

West sparked outrage when he appeared to suggest his job is just as dangerous as working as a cop or a member of the armed forces, saying, “I’m just giving of my body on the stage and putting my life at risk, literally. That mountain goes really, really high. And if I slipped… You never know. And I think about it. I think about my family and I’m like ‘Wow, this is like being a police officer or something, in war or something.'”

Oliver was so furious about the remarks, he posted a scathing letter online chastising West, writing, “(I do not) agree with your very ignorant assessment of your career (or any other performer) as it relates to a person in the military or a police officer’s service. You sir, are as misguided as they come. I do have a suggestion for you. Since you are accustomed to danger, from your life as an international rapper, I am strongly encouraging you immediately abandon you career as a super star and join the military. After joining, I would like you to volunteer to be deployed in Afghanistan or one of the numerous other forward locations where our men and women are currently serving….

“I know it is supply and demand and the demand for your services is high. I get economics. What I do not get is you ever comparing what you do for a living to our heroic military members, who are always in harm’s way…and my brother and sister police officers who have to go to work carrying weapons and wearing a bullet-proof vest to protect themselves.”

The post has turned the police chief into an online sensation, scoring almost 100,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook.